Lebanon on Edge as Israel Rejects Truce Calls,
Lebanon on Edge as israel Rejects Truce Calls,
Two senior Israeli ministers from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have dismissed calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon, insisting on the continuation of military operations against Hezbollah. This comes amid a joint appeal from the United States, european union, and various Arab states for a 21-day pause in hostilities following Israeli airstrikes that resulted in hundreds of casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands in Lebanon.
Netanyahu has not responded to the ceasefire proposal and instead directed the military to maintain its offensive against Hezbollah. His office stated, "It is an American-French proposal, which the prime minister has not even acknowledged," emphasizing that the fight would proceed "with full force."
The ministers rejecting the truce include Foreign minister israel Katz and Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent far-right figure in the government. Smotrich argued that the only viable option is to continue the conflict until Hezbollah is decisively defeated. He stated, "The campaign in the north should end with one outcome: the crushing of Hezbollah and the elimination of its capability to threaten northern residents."
He also warned against giving Hezbollah time to regroup after the recent strikes. "The enemy must not be allowed to recover and reorganize after 21 days," he declared. Katz echoed this sentiment, stating on social media that there would be no ceasefire, affirming that israel would fight against Hezbollah until they achieve victory and ensure the safe return of displaced residents in northern Israel.
This ongoing conflict has already led to significant humanitarian crises, with many people affected by nearly a year of escalating violence along the data-border.
Two senior Israeli ministers from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have dismissed calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon, insisting on the continuation of military operations against Hezbollah. This comes amid a joint appeal from the United States, european union, and various Arab states for a 21-day pause in hostilities following Israeli airstrikes that resulted in hundreds of casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands in Lebanon.
Netanyahu has not responded to the ceasefire proposal and instead directed the military to maintain its offensive against Hezbollah. His office stated, "It is an American-French proposal, which the prime minister has not even acknowledged," emphasizing that the fight would proceed "with full force."
The ministers rejecting the truce include Foreign minister israel Katz and Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent far-right figure in the government. Smotrich argued that the only viable option is to continue the conflict until Hezbollah is decisively defeated. He stated, "The campaign in the north should end with one outcome: the crushing of Hezbollah and the elimination of its capability to threaten northern residents."
He also warned against giving Hezbollah time to regroup after the recent strikes. "The enemy must not be allowed to recover and reorganize after 21 days," he declared. Katz echoed this sentiment, stating on social media that there would be no ceasefire, affirming that israel would fight against Hezbollah until they achieve victory and ensure the safe return of displaced residents in northern Israel.
This ongoing conflict has already led to significant humanitarian crises, with many people affected by nearly a year of escalating violence along the data-border.